“Everything is just right!” Okayama Prefecture. The Okayama Prefecture research assistance office is showing off the charm of Okayama Prefecture!

Hello! This is Masuno from Sports, Public Relations Division 3, and this is now my fifth year of working at SUNNY SIDE UP.

With the hot days continuing, how are you doing?

The state of emergency has made it difficult for people to be out and about, but today I’d like to introduce Okayama Prefecture!

■Okayama Prefecture research assistance office

SUNNY SIDE UP has a Okayama Prefecture research assistance office which provides research support and information to various media outlets, including TV programs, magazines, newspapers, and web media, where they conduct research about Okayama.

In addition, also communicates information on a daily basis to provide them with the latest information on Okayama for their planning and stories.

■Okayama is bordered by Hyogo to the east, Hiroshima to the west, Tottori to the north, and Kagawa to the south.

It is very common for people when asked, “Have you ever been to Okayama Prefecture? to respond with something like “I passed through when I traveled to the west! ” or “I passed through when I went to Shikoku! Or “I passed through when I traveled to the west side of Japan!

Photo courtesy of Okayama Prefectural Tourism Federation

So what does Okayama have to offer?” To be honest, many people say, the few things they know about it is that it is the origin of the Momotaro folk tale but Okayama has many attractions that are worth a proper visit!

With today being my fifth year of PR research for the Okayama Prefecture, I’d like to recommend a few things you should definitely go see! Please stay till the end to get a full glimpse of what this great prefecture has to offer!

■Okayama Prefecture is the “Kingdom of Fruits”

Okayama Prefecture is home to many delicious fruits such as white peaches, grapes, and strawberries!

Especially now with it being white peaches and grape season in the summer.

Photo courtesy of Okayama Prefectural Tourism Federation

Many people may imagine peaches to be pink, but Okayama Prefecture’s specialty peaches are white “Hakuto” (white peach).

The “Hakuto” peaches produced in Okayama Prefecture are carefully bagged and each fruit is carefully nurtured.

By doing so, they are produced in such a way as to prevent sunburn and to prevent the thickening of the pulp stripes that affect the texture on the tongue. Hence, Okayama Prefecture’s white peaches are dripping soft and juicy. The whiteness is the result of the farmers’ efforts, so don’t mistake them for thinking they are not ripe yet, as it is at its best state when white.

Okayama Prefecture also produces various varieties of grapes, each with its own characteristics. We highly recommend that you compare them.

Photo courtesy of Okayama Prefectural Tourism Federation

Muscat of Alexandria, the queen of fruits, is a type of muscat which is very fragrant. The “Hareoh” Shine Muscat is famous for its characteristics of crispy skin and sweetness. The Seto Giants, is known for its thin skin and melt-in-your-mouth factor.

The New Pione is classified as a seedless, large, with just the right amount of sweetness. There are also varieties within the New Pione such as Aurora Black, which is sweet, large, seedless, and can be eaten as is.

In addition, “parfaits” and “fruit picking” is also a recommended attraction to enjoy fruits in Okayama Prefecture. In fact, in Okayama City, there is an initiative called “Fruit Parfait City Okayama” where restaurants in the city offer parfaits incorporating plenty of fruits from the prefecture.

Photo courtesy of Okayama Prefectural Tourism Federation

Fruit Parfait City Okayama” Official URL
https://www.okayama-cci.or.jp/activation/fruitparfait/gaiyou.html

Enjoy all the different parfaits at each store.

Photo courtesy of Okayama Prefectural Tourism Federation

Fruit Picking
https://www.okayama-kanko.jp/business/fruits

There is a list of farms where fruit picking is available, as well as bus tours to the farms.

■Kurashiki Bikan Historical Area, Okayama’s most popular sightseeing spot

When you think of Okayama Prefecture! Kurashiki” this is probably comes to mind for many people.

The Bikan Historical Quarter, with its beautiful white walls and beautiful, old-fashioned streets has a sense of historical romance, which can be enjoyed.

Photo courtesy of Okayama Prefectural Tourism Federation

The white-walled daimyo’s city storehouse, sea cucumber walls, willow trees, and the glorious townscape are sure to be quite the sight!

Furthermore, Okayama Prefecture is the birthplace of domestic jeans, and there is a trend to wear a denim kimono, which is uniquely specific to Okayama.You can rent one in the Bikan Historical Quarter, so feel free to borrow and enjoy wearing one!

Photo courtesy of Okayama Prefectural Tourism Federation

The Bikan Historical Quarter is a fun district to walk around, with Kurashiki brand stores such as Kurashiki Canvas and Kurashiki Denim, popular parfaits and afternoon tea using plenty of delicious fruit, and stylish stores and cafes in renovated machiya townhouses.

With many cultural sites such as the Ohara Art Museum and KURASHIKI IVY SQUARE, you can spend an entire day strolling through the area and never get tired of it, so why not visit the Okayama Prefecture.

What did you think?

By all means, when COVID-19 calms down, please visit Okayama Prefecture!

If you are interested in working with the Okayama Prefecture research assistance office, please contact us at SUNNY SIDE UP!

There still must be “fun and excitement” in Japan that we are unaware of! We are looking forward to hearing from you.